Frank Zappa on Fads

"I don‘t think that there‘s a girl around that would fit in with what we do" - Frank Zappa on June 6, 1971, as told to Howard Smith.

Frank Zappa had a few opinions. Surly? Matter-of-fact? Misunderstood? We'll let you decide as we present this rarely heard
interview with Zappa recorded in his hotel room.

Zappa has a few things to say about women's lib ("a fad"), on LA vs "depressing" New York, why America is a nation of people being told what to do, and why women couldn't hack it in his band. Sit back and enjoy.

Plenty more about Zappa, his battles with Andy Warhol and Tipper Gore's censorship crusade on our website:

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Rod Serling

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Credits
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER David Gerlach
ANIMATOR/DIRECTOR Patrick Smith
AUDIO PRODUCER Amy Drozdowska
COLORIST Jennifer Yoo

MUSICvia APM
“What’s Cookin’” Keith Mansfield
“Bouncing Off The Wall” Ron Aspery
“Linear Wet Highway” Thomas Woodard Jr., Ray Barnette
“Freedom Breakout” Dave O List

Help us caption & translate this video!

[pinecone]

Imagine a time when people said nice things about Los Angeles...

[flyingboxcow]

His fad perspective is very insightful. That seems to be why lots of social and political movements that are based on the people end so fast.

[SleepFan]

"Ain't no hustle where I live"
I burst out laughing at that.

[VacFink]

Before the internet, this is what trolling looked like. All of Zappa's interviews intentionally challenge media as message and its no different here. Ruth Underwood's basically in the band at this point, and the interviewer clearly doesn't know it, so he really puts the screws to him.

[DanielHuman]

Frank is a mad genius. His voice even has great tone.

[spaghettioverlord]

This is hilarious because Ruth Underwood was basically in the group at this point and he’s just fucking with the interviewer.

[Jakeman]

Every time I hear a frank Zappa interview I go "wow that guy is smart"

[jpetersgoyanks]

Zappa’s comic pessimism is refreshing, even when I don’t think the way he does. Ultimately he condemns himself along with the rest of us, it’s honest without truely being rude.

[JH-elkw]

I heard a theory that he was only saying the exact opposite of what the interviewer wanted to hear, just to ser how far he could push the guy. It would definitely be in character...

[ThomasHope]

His humour is so dry 😏👍 he’s antagonistic in his replies, and he often really meant what he was saying... but it was said with humour.

[robertgray]

I use Zappa interviews as my bed time story's....then the animation keeps me awake...zappa interviews should receive a grammys

[jaybeemhardscrote]

Dang PBS studios, this was a fantastic production! Loved the animation and art, loved the music and Zappa will always be a legend, thank you so much!

[VVeltanschauung]

Zappa sounds so damn chill. I miss him

[erikhaugerud]

for those reacting to the comments about women. the brilliant Carol kaye played guitar on Freak out (1966) and absolutely free, but quit because she didnt like the lyrical content.. other female band members had troubles with the live shows.. he`s talking of his experience.. he had worked with several female musicians, but they all quit. and thats why he says he dont think female musicians would fit in with the band.. as for the "I see most women as just stupid people who happen to wear dresses" Is just like he says that most people are just stupid.. he also thought
most men are stupid people who happen to wear pants...

[johnnymoon]

The man made a career out of “don’t tell me what to do”

[Owlute]

Zappa being on point as always. Sun Ra would be a great subject for this series

[octaneartllc]

Frank zappa is like the walrus that you filmed crushing your car... awesome, peculiar and in real time...
You can't deny that this guy was legend.

[ThePunk]

Guess this was before Ruth Underwood joined the group.

[georgeguja]

Why are the people from Blank on Blank and a lot of people in the comment section trying to make Frank look like the ultimate woman-hating misogynist
A couple points that proove that statement isn't true at all

Firstly, Zappa did use a female session bassist on the Freak Out album, the brilliant Carol Kaye, who quit because she didn't like the lude, crude and vulgar lyrics Frank wrote which is what he meant when he said a woman wouldn't fit in with The Mother's image and type of music, considering their music was full of vulgar and crude refrences to sex (including female groupies) so that's what made think a woman would out of place in the band

Secondly, he did evetnually include a woman a year later namely Ruth Underwood who did a great job whithin the band

Thirdly, when he was asked if a woman's place is the home he rejected that idea and basically said (in his own snarky) that women who are badly suited for such a life should make their own way in life by working in show bussines; in a factory etc.

And his final comment that he thinks in MOST INSTANCES the women he met are really stupid people who JUST HAPPENED TO WEAR DRESSES is the same as saying most men are stupid people; which was the way he saw most people he interacted with, most of the time being right

So anybody thinking he was a sexist or against women being in the music bussines or worse make him and icon for MGTOW type groups or any other group should revaluate their his choices

And also I don't know why BOB animated him stepping on women and holding one in his hands as if he owns her like an object and holding them down is trying to put him in a negative light removing any nuance from what he said as if his views and comments are against women and I feel like this this distracts from the great insight he offers us on a fad crazed culture

And one more thing, him saying he doesn't see women as one big group and that they all have their own skills and qualifications is pretty feminist in thinking and even humanising, something a lot of political groups including feminists often times forget

[Wonderful_Productions]

I am glad you guys finally did a Frank Zappa interview, great animation as well.